Your opinion on the merits of the kicker aren't the issue. The manager had designated a penalty taker, that person was Henderson. Balotelli took the ball off him and 'hard man' Henderson pussied out of standing up to him, and stood there shaking his head and then refused to join in the goal celebration. Gerrard was right in what he said. What happens in half a dozen of them fancy taking it? Do you have a scrum on the edge of the box? Balotelli was out of order, but he scored so ultimately no real harm done - on the surface at least..............
Gerrard Balotelli Lambert Borini are probably our best penalty takers. Unfortuately, there's a decent chance of none of them being on the pitch when the penalty is awarded. After that, who knows? Looks like Hendo's got the nod ahead of Studge for now. Can anyone else take a penalty? Lallana?
I said last night that Gerrard is the one who should be censured. The club captain ought to know better than to openly criticise his players in that way. He acted like he'd already left the club and that was wrong, imo. As for Balotelli, we don't know the full story do we? Although that never stops us having an opinion.
I'm still undecided on whether Hendo was a pussy for backing down or good captain for not dragging the issue out and letting the best penalty taker take the penalty. Also don't know what the bench said when he looked over. Showing obvious disagreement was definately not the right attitude though. And Gerrard probably was right, but he shouldn have said it behind closed doors, not on live TV. He manged to undermine both Henderson (by implying that he himself is a stronger captain) and Mario (by criticising his behaviour). That's not good leadership.
as i said on the other thread. i was 100% certain badontelly was going to score. 100% i hate the guy but this is nuts. rodgrs is making henderson into a gerrard wannabe and the ego is something we don't need. this guy isn't a free and pen taker and never will be a top one of either. he's a runner.. not a "wonderful technician" sure its silly in the heat of the game to have to take the ball off him but its the managers fault.... we don't know how many henderson's practised in training of course but i was glad a real pen taker stepped up and took responsibility.
Records, stats and quality is what determines who takes the penalties. Mario was by far the most qualified candidate. At the end of the day, this whole incident is just another example of Mario will always be criticised. Hardly anyone (certainly in the media) has actually acknowledged that he helped changed the game which ultimately won us the match.
To finish the point I was making, there should be (if there isn't already) a list of who takes penalties. Without extenuating circumstances, whoever on the pitch is highest on the list takes the penalty, no arguments.
this is a fair enough point.... i eamn if the selection is coutinho... henderson, sterling... we only have the league cup v middlesboro to go on as fans. sterling missed, coutinho scored two and balotelli socred two.. henderson was not on. so... coutinho for me!
Loved Can's reaction - first one to celebrate with Mario, and shouted at Sturridge to get back celebrate. Future captain.
Nah cmon a guy doing the right thing doesn't automatically make captain material All that means is sturridge is not a captain..... Supposedly cuddling up to badontelly in training but this shows the real story
I've seen a few examples of Can taking control - constantly talking to those around him, taking control in matches, playing with a cool, calm head, and he was also grabbing Mario to celebrate when Lallana scored against Crystal Palace. For a player who is only 21, he carries a lot of respect and authority.
You've still not answered it. Who is paid to make decisions such as deciding who takes the penalty? There is only one very obvious name and that is my point! I don't disagree with anything else you say. Mario was the best option on the pitch to take the penalty, I said that immediately after the penalty was given.
